Concerns have been raised by some stakeholders in Ghana’s tourism industry regarding the absence of the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, from the country’s cabinet.
They argue that the tourism ministry plays a vital role in driving economic growth and revenue generation, with its influence reaching across various sectors. Therefore, they view her exclusion from the government’s top decision-making body as a matter of significant concern.
These concerns stemmed from President John Mahama’s recent inaugural cabinet meeting on February 20, 2025, where Abla Dzifa Gomashie was notably absent from the list of 19 cabinet ministers. This marked a departure from the previous administration, where the tourism ministry had cabinet status.
Francis Doku, the West Africa Regional Representative for Africa Tourism Partners (ATP), emphasized the importance of the tourism sector, stating that it enhances all other industries.
He cautioned that the sidelining of tourism in cabinet discussions could send a negative message to stakeholders, investors, and the global travel community about Ghana’s dedication to the industry’s growth.
Doku called on the President to reconsider the decision and possibly reinstate the tourism ministry’s cabinet status to show a commitment to the sector’s development.
The absence of the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts from the cabinet has raised eyebrows in the tourism industry, with stakeholders urging for her reinstatement to ensure that the sector’s interests are adequately represented at the highest levels of government.
